Some Call It Work, I Call It Fun! Valene Pires, Chronicles of A Corporate Flight Attendant.
/It’s been 10 years since I started my adventure as a Corporate Flight Attendant in Business and Private Aviation. I can remember attending my first training like it was yesterday. How eager I was to try something new and exciting, but inside how truly afraid. I chose to attend one of the big name schools for my initial training and I thought that was the way to go, and that it would certainly prepare me to hop on board and take off. Well, the training did lay it all out there for me and after passing their requirements I was by their standards ready to fly, but inside I didn’t feel confident and knew I was nowhere near ready to set out on my own.
If there was one thing I knew I was certain about it was that I wanted to travel the world as a Corporate Flight Attendant. Several months had gone by since I completed my training and I still had not taken a job. While I was intent on not letting go of my dream and my goal it took time before I gained the confidence I needed to take my first flight. Even though I met the criteria and had the knowledge to fulfill the role of a CFA I was lacking in encouragement and support.
Of course nothing in life is without obstacles. It took some time for me to build up my confidence but I finally did. I got my first job opportunity, took my first flight, and officially earned my wings!
Getting over the first flight is always the hardest. Having first day jitters and being gracious and hospitable under pressure without breaking a sweat is next to impossible, but I did it. I’ll never forget how scary the galley kitchen was and how overwhelmed I felt. It’s absolutely nothing like working your kitchen stove, definitely something that takes some knowhow and a little experience, and something they only briefly discussed in the training I attended. Needless to say, thanks to inflight catering I made it happen and I made it through.
It wasn’t before long that I began finding more opportunities to work and fly. During my first year I flew mainly within the United States. Most of the jobs I took were in LA, Within no time I was beginning to travel to all the amazing Las Vegas and New York, but after that I was traveling the globe. I was traveling to places I had only thought and dreamt about. My first exotic destination was… and it was everything I wanted it to be and way more! For me the ability to travel was a gift, but if the ability to travel wasn’t enough the perks sure were! I’ve been compensated with 5 star exclusive accommodations in various locations and I’ve also had the pleasure of bringing family on vacation using travel points I earned from certain jobs too. As I traveled and worked I not only enjoyed myself, but I networked. Working in Private Aviation I was introduced to affluent and important people and met with many career opportunities outside and within Private Aviation. It was like the doors were opening to a whole new world!
Of course nothing in life is without obstacles. It took some time for me to build up my confidence but I finally did. I got my first job opportunity, took my first flight, and officially earned my wings!
Getting over the first flight is always the hardest. Having first day jitters and being gracious and hospitable under pressure without breaking a sweat is next to impossible, but I did it. I’ll never forget how scary the galley kitchen was and how overwhelmed I felt. It’s absolutely nothing like working your kitchen stove, definitely something that takes some knowhow and a little experience, and something they only briefly discussed in the training I attended. Needless to say, thanks to inflight catering I made it happen and I made it through.
It wasn’t before long that I began finding more opportunities to work and fly. During my first year I flew mainly within the United States. Most of the jobs I took were in LA, Within no time I was beginning to travel to all the amazing Las Vegas and New York, but after that I was traveling the globe. I was traveling to places I had only thought and dreamt about. My first exotic destination was… and it was everything I wanted it to be and way more! For me the ability to travel was a gift, but if the ability to travel wasn’t enough the perks sure were! I’ve been compensated with 5 star exclusive accommodations in various locations and I’ve also had the pleasure of bringing family on vacation using travel points I earned from certain jobs too. As I traveled and worked I not only enjoyed myself, but I networked. Working in Private Aviation I was introduced to affluent and important people and met with many career opportunities outside and within Private Aviation. It was like the doors were opening to a whole new world!
Some would say I was lucky, but I say I was blessed! I truly have been blessed in many ways working in this industry. The traveling, the people and definitely the perks, are all remarkable and worthwhile. I have worked with people who have given me great confidence and believed in me, I’ve had bosses who have become friends, and some clientele who became like family. That was the unexpected yet fulfilling pleasure of it all.
Nothing thus far has given my life so much meaning and satisfaction, but I do remember how difficult it was to get started and I recognize how hard others trying to get into this industry have had it as well. I’ll never forget my friend, who completed CFA training with me but never ended up flying. She wasted the money for training because she never felt she learned enough, and she wasn’t given enough support to be successful in the industry. Today that friend is my inspiration.
If there is one thing I saw a lot over my 10 years in the industry is scared CFA’s who aren’t ready, and who are scared to fly alone. It doesn’t need to be this way. If I can take what I’ve learned and make it better for someone else that’s what I want to do. Now my goal is to help and encourage other prospective CFA’s who are just breaking into the industry.
People won’t always be as helpful, so I believe it is imperative to find a school that will give you every single detail of what this job entails and every bit of knowledge possible to set you up for success. If there is one thing I like about VVIP International Corporate Flight Attendant Training is that they offer 24/7 support to their trainees, and if there is one thing they need it’s that! VVIP not only gives you the tools but they guide you and are available for you to answer any questions any time you need help. VVIP is like a family. If you keep in touch they keep in touch too. It’s up to each individual person to push forward their own success, but VVIP is there to facilitate.
VVIP has an online forum to connect VVIP community members to job openings, they offer exit consultations, resume services, practice interviews, and they even help with submitting applications. At VVIP you’re not just another number. When calls come in requesting a CFA VVIP begins pushing trainees from their roster. The VVIP CEO and her staff are aware of every student, their base location, where they’re looking for work, and whether or not they’re looking for contract and/or salary positions. I really give VVIP a lot of credit! While many have foretold that the Business and Private Aviation Industry would be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic VVIP continues to make it work and continue to remain optimistic. In fact, despite the negative rumors they continue to find work for their trainees.
